Lead Seattle

Why Lead in Seattle

Seattle Public Schools is committed to eliminating the opportunity gap. We value, support, and have the highest expectations of our school leaders. School leadership is second only to teaching in its impact on student learning. Because we believe students, teachers, and parents are worthy of highly skilled and effective school leaders, Seattle Public Schools’ recruits and invests in school leadership with the expectation that leaders improve and support the performance of adults in service of student learning.

In SPS, our leadership theory of action is if we proactively select, develop, and support highly effective and skilled future and current principals and assistant principals, then the quality of principals and assistant principals will increase, positively impacting the quality of teaching, and create equitable outcomes for each and every student in every classroom and thereby eliminating the opportunity gap.

In preparation for anticipated future vacancies, SPS will maintain a pool of potential candidates who have a track record of demonstrating these attributes and who are screened through a rigorous selection process. Successful candidates who are accepted into the pools are invited to apply to new school leadership vacancies.

Our commitment is to have a selection process that is transparent and respects the profession of SPS School Leaders. Candidates are permitted to apply once between January 2018 and July 2018.

The competencies, skills, and beliefs of prospective leadership applicants will be measured against the following SPS Leadership Attributes we expect of gap eliminating leaders:

Champions and Acts on a Vision of Equity

Prioritizes Collaboration based data

Cultivates Instructional Expertise

Aligns Resources for Equity

Builds strong, strategic partnerships

We expect our leaders to be guided, demonstrate, and be committed to the following professional standards: Equity, Adult Learning, Respect, Relationships, Excellence, and Reflection and Action.

If you are committed to working in a learning organization that values and acts on a vision of eliminating the opportunity gap and working to support school staff in the ability to do so, then Seattle Public Schools is the place for you. If you are a leader who is committed to urban education and eliminating the opportunity gap on behalf of all children, then Seattle Public Schools is the district for you.

To learn more about these schools please visit our School Directory where you will find links that will direct you to the specific school profile.

In addition to exhibiting the competencies, skills, and beliefs outlined above, qualified candidates also must have:

A valid Washington State Administrator Certificate or be in the process of obtaining a Washington State Administrator certificate prior to date of hire or July 2018.

In most cases, an out-of-state administrative certificate will apply in Washington State. For details on obtaining a Washington State Administrator certificate visit the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) at http://www.k12.wa.us/certification/AdminMain.aspxadd

*Note: To be eligible for selection to a Principal or Assistant Principal position, verification of principal licensure must be completed.

Applicants should have experience in a leadership capacity within a public or private school system and a minimum of three (3) years of successful certificated school experience.

At least three years of teaching experience (preferred).

Excellent oral and written communication skills.

For Principal candidates, at least three years of experience as a principal or assistant principal (preferred).